cast your deadly “doing” down

Complete has a faster footspeed than my best race pace. I’ve chased it enough to know it’s always just beyond my reach. A quiet morning is sometimes the best backdrop to be still and let truth sink in. That’s where I am this morning – sitting while white hot Truth is sinking in deep.

And the word complete makes sense at this speed.

Some days, I chase wholeness with diet soda and frenzied activity. Other days I chase it curled up with books and blankets. All the chasing and the doing feels like the fastest way to accomplish completeness. It feels productive and shrewd and mature to be busy with all the right things.

But complete has a faster footspeed than my best race pace, and the only way I’ve ever caught up to feel the fullness of it is to just be still. This stanza from the hymn “It is Finished” by James Proctor captures the beauty of completeness in just the way this morning needs.

Yes, often my “doing” is deadly and must be cast at Jesus’ feet. It’s strange how tightly I can hold something that kills me – how firmly I can grip something that eats away completeness from the inside. How foolish I am to cling to the very thing that prevents wholeness (in an effort to make myself whole). It sounds dreadful.

I praise God for Truth in the stillness on Wednesday mornings, when the birds and the neighbors and the buzz of traffic accompany my reverie. I praise God for inviting me to cast my deadly “doing” down at His feet (time and time again). I praise God for His sufficiency that makes me whole. I praise God for the work of Christ, where I am complete.

There is nothing I can do that will get me closer to what’s been done.

I am complete – gloriously complete and that is sealed by the finished work of Christ on the cross. No amount of doing or chasing or wishing or wasting can come close to accomplishing what Christ did. So, the best thing to do in the stillness of a Wednesday morning is praise. I will praise today with my feet planted firmly in Him alone.

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3 thoughts on “cast your deadly “doing” down”

These thoughts are beautiful and I am so thankful to you for sharing them. That is amazing that one month ago I woke up with the words “Lay you deadly doing down, down at Jesus feet, stand in Him and Him alone, gloriously complete.” I marinated in it for weeks, sending the old hymn “It is Finished” to my family and friends. (Words written by James Proctor)
I thought I’d share these beautiful words…

Nothing, either great or small—
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus died and paid it all,
Long, long ago.

Refrain

“It is finished!” yes, indeed,
Finished, ev’ry jot;
Sinner, this is all you need,
Tell me, is it not?

Refrain

When He, from His lofty throne,
Stooped to do and die,
Ev’rything was fully done;
Hearken to His cry!

Whitney – I had the same experience with that hymn! Such a beautiful way to speak truth… my favorite is when the rhythm gets into the grooves of your soul and this one does just that! Thanks for your words, friend!

Caroline, I wish all believers got this. But we tend to leave grace at the door on the day of salvation, and forge ahead in the sanctification as though the rest were up to us. No, we need a Savior this very day as well. He said it is finished, indeed, and His justification covers us this moment. I don’t want to take up your time, but this is short. I think you’ll relate:

The other site of mine you’re following is myholistictable.wordpress.com, a huge vision, actually. Thanks for the support. Did you get my Asian kale chips recipe? Posted it a day and a half ago. Two subscribers didn’t, and your input would help Tech support see what’s going on. You have a lovely site and spirit! Xx Diana